1987 Continental - instrument cluster died

[Shevretti]

Hi!

I took my '87 Continental out of the storage cos the weather was nice, drove it around the city and when I was driving back to the garage the instrument cluser died and won't light up anymore. Message center works well only the whole electronic gauge cluster is off, do you know what may be the problem?

Thanks!
Mariusz...

 

[Lvnmarks]

Sounds like a loose connector on the gauge cluster, try removing the cluster and clean the connections and reseat the plug. Are the fuses all good?

 

[tixer]

Does yours look like this? If so, there was a while when mine seemed to be sensetive to the car's electrical system. with a weak alternator or battery, some sections (such as the speedometer) would quit working.

What is interesting, is that in one case when it did this (also after being stored) I just kept driving the car. With more use, it started working and has worked ever since.

 

[steve]

start with checking the fuse

 

[Shevretti]

All the fuses powering the electronic cluster are OK.

It looks a little different than the Town Car unit and all sections quit working at the same time.

Think there's no other way than removing the cluster. If I could only bench test it somehow...

 

[tixer]

If your cluster is similar to mine anyway, it is not particularly difficult to remove. The most complex bit being the shift indicator, because the collar that clamps around the steering column is prone to breaking. If yours cracks, you'll simply need to find an alternate means of securing it so that the gear indicator is aligned properly.

Otherwise, the speedometer cable needs to come off, and each of the three sections has its own electrical connector. I feel there's a chance that those connectors could be your trouble spot, as they simply interface with a flat plastic "ribbon" cable, that I would think could corrode easily. It may be worth your time to just disconnect and reconnect those cables a few times to see if that fixes it.

 

[Shevretti]

I had more time after work today, so I finally took the gauge cluster out. I think the electronic cluster is shot, I took it to my friend who is fixing all kind of electronics. We'll see if he can find the problem or I'll have to find a new cluster.

BTW. I haven't mentioned it before, but gas tank started to leak after the first Spring ride. It's rusted and needs replacement too Looks like it's not a good season for the Connie.

The good thing is that the Town Car limo runs great and we took it for a family ride this weekend for my dad's 55 birthday party

 

[tixer]

A leaking fuel tank is part of what finally made me take my '86 off the road. (let me know if you need parts.)

I did discover that fuel tanks for these old Lincolns are not too expensive though. rockauto.com lists one for your car at $35 (one left in stock) and two others at $107 and $119 respectively. Of course you have international shipping to contend with, and I don't know how complicated that is.